Wow, it's already July, and I am long overdue for a Bee Garden update!

Quite a bit has been going on, but I will try to keep this somewhat short.

The bees are doing great! So far, no evidence of disease and our new packages from Oregon are thriving, having built loads of comb on fresh frames this season. We have spotted eggs in each hive at every visit, which is evidence of a healthy queen. The bees have also stored loads of pollen which they use as their protein source - and are well on their way to storing up enough honey to get through the winter. We will be able to tell by the fall if we will be able to harvest any honey - the bees need at least 40 pounds of honey to get through the winter here in Seattle, so we need to leave at least that much behind.

Krista Conner, of West Seattle's Seattle Bee Works, has assumed the role of Lead Beekeeper. We are fortunate to have her on deck, since Krista is a very experienced beekeeper, and the president of the Puget Sound Beekeepers Association. Krista has been checking the bees weekly, and is also increasing pollinator awareness and money for the garden by hosting dates via the 'How About We' website. The dates have been well received and, per report, have been a fun experience for everyone involved. Thank you Krista!

The Bee Garden hosted 12 field trip this spring, and we have another group coming in this Wednesday. All of the kids have just been fantastic - full of questions and legitimate concern for the pollinators and their habitat. Every time I leave a field trip I feel more hopeful about our future, and grateful for the opportunity to be involved in this project!

We also have a few big events coming up! This Saturday July 12th, we will be participating in Seattle Tilth's Chicken Coop and Urban Farm Tour! Also, we just learned today that the West Seattle Bee Garden has been named Community Star: Most community-oriented coop or garden!Here are a few quotes from their email, "One judge commented on how “beautiful, educational and community-driven” this site is.You will receive this award on the day of the event by a Seattle Tilth representative; it’s our way of saying, “You’re awesome—keep up the good work for the West Seattle community!”

Way to go is right, thank you to everyone who has helped out!!

Participants from the White Center Garden Tour will also be dropping by this Saturday - big day!

We have been named a beneficiary of the West Seattle Garden Tour, which will be taking place on Saturday July 20th. Everyone is invited to come check out the beautiful gardens! You may even bump into Deborah Vandermar and myself, as we have been assigned to a table at one of the gardens. Proceeds all go toward great causes - thank you very much to the WS Garden Tour!

Want to help out, or sign up to become a pollination gardner for next year? We could certainly use a few more hands! Please feel free to email me at westseattlebeegarden@gmail.com at any point!

Thank you again to High Point and West Seattle for all of your support!